The 10 worst states for tornadoes

While tornadoes can happen virtually anywhere in the U.S., they do tend to be concentrated in certain regions.

Insurance giant State Farm has named the 10 states where the company received the most tornado and wind damage claims in 2014. Illinois leads the list, followed by Georgia and Texas.

State Farm paid out nearly $900 million in tornado and high wind claims last year. It’s the No. 1 home insurance company — by market share — operating nationwide, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

Damage to the structure of your home caused by a tornado is usually covered by a standard homeowners policy. Your personal belongings would also be covered, so it would be helpful to have an inventory at the ready in the event of a tornado or other natural disaster.

Your policy also would likely include “loss of use” coverage, which would pick up some of your living costs elsewhere if your home is destroyed and needs rebuilding.

Here’s the full list of State Farm’s top states for tornado and wind claims in 2014, and the number of claims in each state:

Illinois: 10,884

Georgia: 10,148

Texas: 7,999

Ohio: 6,849

Tennessee: 6,395

Indiana: 5,945

Michigan: 4,762

Alabama: 4,612

Missouri: 3,914

Kentucky: 3,583

The U.S. has seen an average of 909 tornadoes per year between 2012 and 2014, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

But so far in 2015, the number of tornadoes has dropped to record-low levels. January and February had the fewest tornadoes in 11 years, according to a report from The Weather Channel.

But don’t let that fact be an excuse for complacency. State Farm offers the following tips to help you prepare for a tornado:

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